The guild was louder than before.
Boots scraped. Orders shouted. Laughter, steel, firewood cracking.
But when Rei walked in—
Silence.
Every voice dropped. Every eye turned.
Not fear.
But weight.
Like they were looking at a sword drawn from its sheath.
Rei just blinked at them.
Then gave a small wave.
> "Relax. I'm not gonna eat you."
That broke it. Nervous laughter rippled through the room. Plates clinked again. A bard strummed a cautious note.
Ailith caught up beside him.
> "Wow. What was that?"
Rei shrugged.
> "Nothing much."
But she could see the way Leyla stared from behind the desk again — less shocked now, more… watching.
They approached.
Rei leaned on the counter slightly.
> "Hey. Know a good inn nearby?"
Leyla blinked, caught mid-thought. Her voice was softer than before.
> "East road. Kori Inn."
"Quiet. Warm. Good stew."
Rei nodded.
> "Nice. See you tomorrow."
He turned, already walking off.
Leyla didn't reply. Her gaze stayed fixed a moment longer — like she was still processing something she wouldn't say.
---
Streetlights flickered as they walked the quiet eastern road.
The air smelled of spice and ash.
Rei glanced sideways.
> "Why are you following me?" "Don't you have a home?"
Ailith smirked.
> "I'm an adventurer too. I stay in inns."
> "Right…"
---
Kori Inn was built into a crooked stone wall, with thick beams and a rusted bell over the door.
Inside, warm. Lit by fire. A massive man — bald, scarred, apron barely fitting — looked up from the counter.
Despite his size, his voice was gentle.
> "How many rooms?"
Rei stepped forward.
> "One."
Ailith blinked.
> "Wait — one?"
Rei didn't flinch.
> "Yeah. I only need one."
> "What about me?"
He turned toward her, eyebrow raised.
> "Don't you have money?"
> "I lost it, alright?" "I'll pay you back when I get some." "So pay mine too."
Rei sighed.
> "Fine. I've got it."
The innkeeper gave a quiet chuckle.
> "Two silvers. One night."
Rei handed over the coins without blinking.
> "One room, two adventurers."
> "Top floor. Last on the left."
They took the stairs in silence.
The city below was still moving. But in that hallway, it was just the two of them — a demon with debts, and a stranger who broke a crystal meant to hold gods.